SINGAPORE – Gardens by the Bay is allocating up to 10,000 complimentary tickets to select exhibitions at IMBA Theatre for families participating in workshops and events hosted by the People’s Association (PA) and Families for Life (FFL).
The initiative represents a strategic intersection of cultural programming and public policy, aimed at reducing financial barriers to arts access for families. The program is part of a broader governmental effort to address social factors influencing marriage and parenthood in Singapore, where the total fertility rate has reached a record low of 0.87.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who chairs the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, announced the initiative on June 20. Rajah stated that the government has received feedback regarding the high cost of activities when outing with children, and framed the move as one strand of Singapore’s broader pro-family policy architecture under the SG Families umbrella.
“We do get feedback from families that, in some cases, depending on the activity, going out with children can be expensive. We therefore want to encourage more accessible and affordable activities for children and families. So, when I shared this feedback with IMBA and Gardens, they said they would be happy to extend complimentary tickets to IMBA Theatre so families can enjoy exhibitions together,” said Rajah.
Public-Private Integration for Audience Reach
The ticket distribution is tied to specific community engagement milestones, aligning cultural benefits with participation in parenting and family life programmes. Eligible families must attend PA parenting workshops in July or designated National Family Festival events, which are part of the government’s ongoing outreach to strengthen family bonds at the community level.
The National Family Festival schedule includes:
- White Sands Mall: June 19 to 21
- Kampung Admiralty: June 20 to 21
- Sengkang Grand Mall and Northshore Plaza: June 27 to 28
- Plantation Plaza: July 11
Gardens by the Bay Chief Executive Felix Loh described the efforts as part of a “whole-of-society effort to better support Singaporeans on their marriage and parenthood journeys.” The initiative complements existing state support schemes administered under the Marriage and Parenthood Package, by addressing the day-to-day cost of shared family experiences rather than direct cash benefits alone.
In addition to the theatre tickets, Gardens by the Bay is collaborating with social service agencies to coordinate trips and ticket giveaways for the Disney Garden of Wonder, with priority given to families that may otherwise find such outings unaffordable.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah with visitors at the Disney Garden of Wonder at Gardens by the Bay on June 20.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Immersive Exhibition Programming
The complimentary tickets provide access to two major exhibitions: Botero: A Life in Fullness and David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), both positioned as family-friendly entry points into international art and design.
The Hockney exhibition utilizes 360-degree projections within the IMBA Theatre to present the work of the British artist in an immersive format that can be experienced collectively by adults and children. On June 20, the venue hosted 20 families from the Fei Yue Family Service Centre as part of the programme’s launch, in a pilot run that officials said would inform subsequent outreach efforts.
Visitors exploring the Disney Garden of Wonder at Gardens by the Bay on June 20.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Visitors at the David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) exhibition on June 20.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup is currently reviewing factors including financial costs, education, and work-life support to strengthen governmental support for families. Officials have signalled that softer measures – such as accessible family outings and community-based parenting support – will complement any forthcoming adjustments to fiscal incentives.
Girija Manickam and her son taking part in an art activity during the launch of Gardens by the Bay’s new family initiatives on June 20.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Both exhibitions run until Aug 31. Retail tickets for these shows are priced at $32 on weekdays and $38 on weekends, underscoring the material value of the complimentary passes for larger households and lower-income families.
